Electrical conductor



ay sl 1945.

H. A. JACKSON ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed March l, 1943 w u Il! w Humm ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR File March l, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 www Patented May 8, 1945 ELEc'rnIcAL coNDUc'ron lionel A.. Jackson, Detroit, Mich. Application March 1, 1943, Serial No. 477,658

'4 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical conducting mechanism consisting of separable, electrically conductive, cooperating sections.

An important object of the invention is to provide a novel connection between the separable sectzons, which positively assures electrical connection and holds the parts against accidental separation in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of conducting mechanism consisting of separable sectionsywhich is constructed of few parts which are easily made and'assembled and which can be quickly disassembled for repair and substitution of parts.

In operation the novel connecting means requires only a slight turning movement of o'ne separable section of the conducting mechanism relative to the other, in order to either attach or detach the two sections one from the other.

, The form of coupling provided by the invention assures an excellent electrical contact with the electric cable leading from the source of current supply.

A novel feature of the present invention is the concealed character of the terminals which complete the electric circuit between the two sections. In use the terminals are protectingly housed within an insulating sleeve and cannot accidentally make contact with outside objects.

The invention illustrated is embodied in an improved electrode holder and also in an improved cable connector. Whether embodied in an electrode holder or a cable connector the connection established between the two sections is simple, 'positive and eilicient.

If embodied in an electrode holder, an important object is to provide a novel form of weldingelectrode holder which is separable into sections such that the handle portion may be permanently affixed to the end of an electric cable and the electrode gripping portion may be quickly attachedand removed from the handle section.

More specifically, an important Objectis to provide an improved form of electrode holder having a novel means for detachably connecting the electrode gripping portion to 'the handle portion, and to provide positive means which requires little eiort on the part of the operator for holding the two portions against accidental separation while in use.

A further objectof the invention, -when-embodied in an lelectrode holder,`is toprovide a holder which is protectingly insulated inV such ai manner that the holder may be laid down nr acidentally 'struck against surrounding objects without fear of snorting the circuit and either damaging the work or injuring the operator. As a result the holder may be connected at all times with the source of current 'supply while in use and there is no need toprovide extra switch means for breaking the circuit to the electrode when the tool is laid down or the electrode changed. A

Various other objects, advantages and meritorious features of the present invention will become v more fully apparent'from thefollowing'specications, appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein: l

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the electrode holder showing the electrode holder section and the handle section joined together in operating position,

Fig. 2 is a. longitudinal sectional view through the connected portion of the holder sections at to the position of the parts illustrated in Fig. l.v

Fig. 3 is a view, partly in section and in smaller scale, of the two sections of the electrode holder, showing them in slightly separated condition,

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view along line 4 4 of Fig. 1, and 4 y Fig. 5 is a sectional view along line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a. longitudinal sectional view through i the invention embodied in a cable connector.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 'l-l of Fig. 6.-

This application is a continuation in part of my application Ser. No. 453,173, iiled August 1, 1942. In the electrode holder` embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figs. l through 5, an electrode holder of the general type shown in my Patent No. 2,003,196 is used. It is understood that the present invention is not restricted to this type of holder, but may be incorporated in other forms of holders and modied to suit different conditions. t

Referring specically to the drawings, and rstly to the electrode holder embodiment, the holder comprises two separable sections or portions. One section grips the electrode and may be referred to as the electrode gripping or holding section. The other section is grasped by the hand of the operator and may bev referred to as the handle section. The two sections in separable condition are shown in Fig. 3; the electrode gripping section being generally indicated at l0;

arejoined together end-to-end and electric contion covers".arepreferabiy in the form of separate pieces of channel formation. Two such pieces are provided on jaw member I4 and are indicated at 28 and 30. Similarly two insulationl pieces 32 and 34 are provided on jawmembers I5. As shown best in Fig. 3, these insulation covers extend the length of the jaw members and the overhangs provided by their channel formation protect the sides of the jaw members. As will be more particularly brought out hereinafter, in connection with the holder as a whole, these insulation pieces enable the holder to be laid down or accidentally brought into contact with surrounding objects without fear of contacting with grounded metal.

The handle section generally indicated at I2 comprises Aan outside body or sleeve 36 of insulation material, preferably of tubular formation. Enclosed inside this sleeve is a member 38 of electric conductive material. This member is disposed intermediate the ends of the sleeve, which are open as shown, and preferably provided with circumferentially spaced longitudinal ribs 40 which engage the inside surface of the sleeve and form longitudinal passages therebetween for the circulation of air.

Member 38 serves as an electric connection between a source of current supply and the elec` trode lholder section when the holder is in completely assembled condition. It is provided on the side facing the rear end of the handle with a circular recess 42 in which the terminal end of an insulated electric cable 44 is received. Preferably the end of the cable is permanently fixed in the recess -by solder or other suitable means. The opposite forward end of the member 38 is provided with a conical recess or bore 46. The bore extends for a considerable depth and the y walls thereof taper at a relatively slight angle.

Receivable in the bore is a conical tapered terminal end 48' of the jaw member I6. The terminal end 48 is relatively long and correspondingly tapered to slidingly fit within the bore when fully inserted to be frictionally wedged therein.

Novel means is provided for positively coupling the two sections of the holder together and holding the same in this condition against accidental separation. This means provides a quick and easy means of connection and disconnection and is protectingly and inconspicuously concealed within the tubular handle. To accomplish this end the jaw member i6 is provided immediately adjacent to the base of the tapered end 48 with a radially enlarged collar 50 forming an integral of the cam surface is alongitudinal slot 66 in the collar which opens on the terminal side thereof.

Forming part of the handle section of the holder is a novel means which when the two sections are joined together, will be in position to ride up the inclined cam surface and positively lock the two sections against longitudinal separation. This means takes the form of an element which is preferably detachable for repair and replacement. As shown, the element is preferably a strip 68 of .flat metal stock or similar composition, which extends the length of the electrical connection 38 and between the outside surface thereof and the inside of the sleeve 36. The ends of this element or strip are inturned to form fianges 60 and 82. rear end is adapted to abut the rear end of the connector member 38. The flange 62 at the forward end is adapted to ride upon the cam surface 54 and its contacting surface is slightly rounded as shown in Fig. 2, to facilitate this movement. The forward end of the strip projects in advance of the member 38 and when the two sections are first brought together the projecting end of the strip passes through the slot 56 to the forward side of the cam. It is evident that a slight turning movement of one section relative to the other will cause the flange 62 to ride upon the cam surface.

The locking element or strip 58 is preferably readily detachable from the handle section. This is accomplished in a highly convenient way .by utilizing the same means which secures the member 38in the sleeve 36 against movement for also securing the strip 58 in position.` As shown, fastening means in the form of a screw 64 extends transversely through the sleeve, strip and into the central portion of member 38. All three parts are thus secured together and rotate as a unit.

Preferably, the hole 66 in the strip through which the screw 64 extends is made slightly oversize to allow a small longitudinal play of the strip, and also to provide adjustment if it is recessary to repair it during the life of the holder. The oversize hole 66 relieves the screw 64 of any lateral pressure which would be otherwise imposed upon it if the hole were the same size as the screw. Loads imposed on the strip-as its forward flange rides up the cam, are transferred directly to the coupling member 38 by the rear flange 60. If the strip should be damaged by the bending or breaking of one of the flanges, it

part of the jaw member. The outside dimension is easy to disassemble the parts and repair the strip. 1f one of the flanges breaks off a new one can be formed, and if necessary the remaining flange reduced in height to provide suiiicient metal for forming the new flange. The oversize hole 66 permits shifting of the position of the repaired strip on the member 38 to predispose the flanges in proper operating position. These repair facilities are especially advantageous for large industries using many electrode holders and where on the average a small percentage of all the holders are in need of repair. This can be performed by the repair department at no expense and little delay.

The coupling member 38 is constructed in' a highly convenient way to hold the strip against lateral displacement. As shown in Figs'. 2, 3 and 5 what would otherwise be the bottom longitudinal rib is divided into two slightly spaced apart ribs dll- 40, forming a groove in which the strip 68 may be slidably ntted. These ribs, to-

The flange at thel gether with the rear flange 60 and the (screwV 64 act to hold the strip in operatingposition.

For optional use a second locking means may be provided. As shown in Fig. 1 the tapered terminal end 48 may be provided with an arcuate recess 68 on one side. A set screw I0 is ythreaded in the wall of the bore 46 of the coupling member 38 and upon threaded advancement is adapted to enter the arcuate recess. Preferably the bottom of the recess opposite to the set screw is upwardly inclined toward the terminal end, in order to provide a wedging action tending to advance the terminal end further into the bore as the set screw presses thereon.

Considering now thecable connector embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, it will be noted that the female connection is identical with the handle section of the electrode holder. The male connection is similar to the jaw section of the electrode holder. Considering specifically the construction of the cable connector, each section includes a cylindrical sleeve of suitable insulation material. The sleeve whichl forms a part of the female section is indicated by the numeral 90` and positioned within this s leeve is an electrically conductive member 92. This member may be secured in the sleevel by a set screw 94. An insulated cable 96 has its terminal portion 98 socketed within a cylindrical recess in one end of the member 92. This attachment may be a. permanent one as by soldering the terminall end of the cable to the end 92. The cable may lead from a suitable source of electric power. The opposite end of the member 92 is provided with a tapered conical socket |00. This socket portion of the member 92 terminates spaced from the end of the sleeve 90. A connecting screw |02 is carried by the member 92 and may be threaded into or out of the socket as shown in Fig. 6.

The cooperating connection also comprises a cylindrical sleeve indicated as |04 which is formed of suitable insulation material. Within this sleeve is positioned an electrically conductive member |06, which member may be held therein by a set screw |08. Thismember is provided with a cylindrical recess in one end wherein is received the terminal end ||0 of an insulated electrical cable ||2, as shown in Fig. 6. Such terminal of the cable may be soldered within the conductive member |06.

The opposite endof this member |06 is provided with a terminal portion II4 which is of conical shape and of a size to be snugly received within the socket |00 of the member 92. The connection between the two sections of the cable connector is established in the same manner as the connection between the handle sections and the jaw section of the electrode holder. The conductive member |06 is provided with a circumferential shoulder II6 which corresponds to the shoulder 50 on the conductive jaw element I6 on Fig.'1'. The circumference of the shoulder II6 is such that it is readily received within the open end of the sleeve 90l as shown in Fig. 6. That face of the shoulder which is adjacent to the main body of the element |06 is shaped in the form of a crown cam IIB. At the low end v of the crown surface is a longitudinal slot through the shoulder which is not shown in Figs. 6 and 7, but Fig. 2 shows the corresponding slot 56 in the electrode holder embodiment of the invention.

That portion of the female section which engages the cam ||8 is in the form of a flat metal strip |20 which extends the length of the member 82 and is disposed between the outside surface thereof and the inside of the sleeve as shown in Fig. 6. The ends of this strip are inturned as at |22 and |24. The end |22 overlaps the cable end of the member 92. The end |24 is adapted to engage the cam ||8. This strip |20 is apertured as at |26 and the screw 94 extends through this aperture as shown in Fig. 6.

'I'he flange |24 is of a size to pass through the longitudinal slot through the cam and is adapted to ride upon the cam surface so that upon relative rotationof the' two sections the engagement of the flange |24 with cam I I8 will draw the element |06 and 92 tightly together forming an effective electrical contact and secure mechanical connection. The crown cam I I8 extends only partially circumferentially about the terminal II4. It is apparent that when the connection is established the conducting parts 'are disposed entirely within the sleeve 90. It will be noted that, as in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. l and 2, the conical terminal |I4 is cut away as at |30, providing an arcuate recess adapted to receive the round end of the connecting screw |02. This recess is so shaped that as -the screw |02 is threaded into it against the tapered bottom of the recess, the conical terminal |I4 of the member |06 is drawn snugly into the socket of the member92. This formsan additional securing connection to maintain the two sections together and to urge them tightly together.

Fig. 7 which is taken on the section line |-1 lFig. 6 illustrates a preferred cross section for the elements |02 and 92. It is shown in connectionwith the element |06, but the element 92 is similarly shaped. This cross sectional shape is the same as that shown in connection with the element 38 of the electrode holder. The main body of the member |06 or 92, as the case may be, is provided with long extending relativelynarrow ribs |28 which engage the interior surface of the sleeve and space the major portion of the periphery of the member from the sleeve providing air cooling space about the member within the sleeve.

It will also be seen that the insulated cable that is secured to the outer end of the member 92 and the insulated cable that is secured to the outer end of member |06 is of such a-size as to provide an air space thereabout within the sleeve which would permit the admission of air for cooling. This structure is the same as that shown in the electrode holder Figs. 1 and 2.

It is apparent that in use the jaw portion of the electrode holder may be removed from the handle portion which is permanently attached to a cable section and an additional cable section maybe attached in lieu of the jaw por-y tion. Each cable section adaptable for insertion in a line would have a male member a't one end and a female member at the opposite end. The jaw portion of the electrode holder might then be secured to the opposite free end of the cable section that had been inserted. It is apparent that the connection formed between the two sections shown in Fig. 6 is in every'way the same as the,y connection formed between the two sections shown in Fig. 1 and the more complete description of the structure shown in Fig. 1 is o applicable to the structure shown in Fig. 6.

What I claim:

1. Conducting means comprisingjin combination a pair of separable sections, one section including a member of electrically conductive ma- 4 aardolieA `from the other member, and means carried by said other member adapted to overlap upon said cam when said conical part is tightly received within said bore, and to ride up the inclined fall of the cam when the two sections of the holder are rotated relatively to one another about their longitudinal axes releasably securing said sections together.

2. Conducting means comprising, in combination a pair of separable sections, one section including a member o electrically conductive material provided with outside insulation, the other section including an outside covering of insulation material and an inside member oi electrlcally conductive material, one of said menibers provided with a longitudinal extending conical bore, the other member provided with a longitudinal extending conical part of a size and shape to be tightly received within said bore, said member having the conical part'provlded adjacent to the base oi said part with an arcuate segmental portion provided on the side remote from said corneal part with a crown cam extending partly circumierentially thereabout, said member having the conical bore provided with a part projecting beyond said bore and adapted to overlap upon said cam when said conical part is tightly received within said bore, and to ride up the inclined all of the cam when the two sections of the holder are rotated relatively to one another about their longitudinal axes releasably securing said sections together.

3. Conducting means comprising, :in-combination a pair of separable sections, one section including a member of electrically conductive material provided with outside insulation, the other section including an outside covering of insula tion material and inside member of electrically conductive material, one o! said members provided with a longitudinal extending conical bore, the other member provided with a longitudinal extending conical part of a size and shape to be tightly received within said bore, said member `having a conical part being provided adiacent to the base of said part with a crown cam inclining longitudinally thereof and away from the other member, a. finger-like element secured to said other member within the insulation material and projecting beyond the conical bore of said member and having a terminal part adapted to overlap upon said cam when said conical part is tightly received within said bore, and to ride up the inclined fall of the cam when the two sections of the holder are rotated relatively to one another about their longitudinal axes releasably securing said sections together.

4. Conducting means comprising, in combina- 1 tion a pair of separable sections, one section including a member of electrically conductive material provided with outside insulation, the other section including an outside covering of insulation material and an inside member of electrically conductive material, one of said members provided with a longitudinal extending conical bore, the other member provided with a longitudinal extending conical part of a 'size and shape to be tightly received within said bore, an inclined cam on one of said members inclining longitudinally thereof and away from the other member, and means carried by said other member adapted to overlap upon said cam when said conical part is tightly received within said bore, and to ride up the inclined fall of the cam when the two sections of the holder are rotated relatively to one another about their longitudinal axes releasably securing said sections together, the conical part of the one member provided with a recess in its conical face having an inclined surface, and means carried by the other member extending into the conical bore thereof adapted to be projected into said recess against said inclined surface.

. HONEL A. JACKSON. 

